Which Other Plants Complement Hydrangeas Well?

Hostas are a great companion plant for hydrangeas, as they thrive well in full to partial sun conditions. Camellia, another shrub, is also suitable for this purpose. Astilbe, another companion plant, thrives in zones 3-9 and prefers full sun to shade. Hydrangeas pair well with many other shrubs, trees, and perennials, and it’s essential to choose plants that share similar growing requirements and conditions. Azaleas and rhododendrons are ideal for hydrangeas, as they all prefer some shade and slightly acidic conditions. Conifers like junipers, pines, and dwarf pines are also suitable companion plants for hydrangeas. Other plants to pair with hydrangeas in the sun include coneflower, Karl Foerster Feather, Reed Grass, Tickseed, Rose, Daylilies, Hostas, Begonias, Ferns, Foxgloves, Blue Fescue, Purple Cranesbill, Coral Bells, Astilbe, oakleaf hydrangeas, and classic cottage garden plants like Lavender, Catmint, and Roses. Hostas and hydrangeas are a classic combination, as they both thrive well around the base of hydrangeas and prefer part-shade conditions.

How do I make my hydrangeas look better?

To increase the number of panicle hydrangea flowers, plant them in all-day sun or afternoon sun, water them during drought, and add organic matter like compost around the plant. Limit drastic pruning to early spring, just before new growth emerges.

To plant hydrangeas, set them up for success by determining their light preferences, ensuring they can handle part shade to full sun, and ensuring they have well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the hydrangea’s nursery pot, amend with compost for nutritional benefits, and cover the soil with mulch to retain water. Water at least three times a week to establish a strong root system.

Watering hydrangeas is essential, as they need water to maintain their health. Check the leaves for signs of dryness and limpness, and wait until evening to see if they recover before watering. Keep the soil moist but not soggy to ensure the plants are healthy and ready to bloom.

What not to plant next to hydrangeas?

Lavender, a Mediterranean plant, is sensitive to soil moisture, humidity, and sun, preferring dry, rocky, sandy conditions. Its unhappy condition can cause it to turn yellow, brown, and snap off its stem. Daffodils can be toxic to other plants due to their secreted substance. Marigolds, while a great companion plant for many herbs and vegetables, do not like hydrangeas. They prefer sun and prefer their feet in drier conditions, and if placed in moist ground, they will droop, turn yellow, and eventually die.

What is the best plant to go with hydrangeas?

Astilbe, a low-maintenance plant, pairs well with hydrangeas that prefer shade due to their feathery plumes and fern-like foliage. They are easy to grow, low-maintenance, and deer and rabbit resistant. Astilbe, like hydrangeas, brightens up gardens with limited sun. It grows to 6 to 24 inches tall and 6 to 60 inches wide, and requires partial to full sun and loamy, moist soil. Anise hyssop, also known as hummingbird mint, pairs well with hydrangeas due to its attractive pollinators and deterrent properties. Its tall, sturdy stems and dense spikes of small, tubular, bright blue flowers make it one of the hardiest and longest-blooming flowering plants.

What is the best landscaping with hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are a beautiful garden plant that can be complemented by various plants such as annuals, ornamental grasses, hostas, ferns, evergreens, and small-to-medium-sized trees. To create a dreamy summer entry, water them at the base or roots with drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Overhead watering can cause diseases like Cercospora leaf spot. To achieve a bold, blue hue, work coffee grounds into the soil around your hydrangeas in late fall, months ahead of the blooming season. Repeat this application two to three times a year. This will help achieve your garden goals and ensure your hydrangeas thrive in the long run.

What to arrange with hydrangeas?

Frances Schultz prefers garden arrangements with a mix of intentional and unfinished flowers. In St. Simons Island, Judy and Jack Powell’s home features a potting shed filled with hydrangeas, snap dragons, belles of Ireland, lotus, and curly willow. In Heather Dewberry Stoller’s dining room, Jimmie Henslee arranged three jars of hydrangeas, clematis, dusty miller, and other flowers, dressing the dining table with white ceramic birds and dolphins. These arrangements are part of a midsummer’s eve celebration from Susan Sully’s book, Southern Hospitality at Home: The Art of Gracious Living.

Should I put coffee grounds around my hydrangeas?

Coffee grounds can be used to change the color of hydrangeas, but it’s best to use aluminum sulfate for a proven flower color change. Crushed eggshells may work, but they should be used with a proven method of raising the pH, like applying garden lime. Vinegar can be added to watering cans to change soil acidity and turn hydrangeas blue, but it’s not a long-term solution and can be harmful to local wildlife.

Will hydrangeas multiply?

Hydrangeas, commonly sold as well-developed plants in pots, can be propagated for a fraction of the cost of nursery hydrangeas, which can cost between $25 to $50. By taking stem cuttings and rooting them, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars on propagation. Hydrangeas are particularly suitable for this method, as they grow quickly and can become mature flowering shrubs within a year. They provide a lush feel to your yard and are synonymous with summer on the East Coast, evoking an elegant, laid-back energy. With a little effort, you can fill your green space with these stunning, multi-flowered blooms in shades of pink, white, red, purple, and blue.

What is best to put around hydrangeas?

Mulching is essential for protecting and insulate hydrangeas during colder days and nights, keeping moisture in and weeds out. Even snow acts as a natural insulator for hydrangeas. Applying chunky mulch around the base of the plant gives them the best chance at success. Decorative mulch, straw, marsh hay, or fallen leaves are helpful. In colder climates, marginally hardy hydrangeas, such as the mop head/big leaf hydrangea variety, can be wrapped or completely covered.

Hardier hydrangeas don’t need extra winter protection, but extreme cold can cause die-back of branches. If a colder than normal winter is predicted, consider covering them. For more information on hydrangeas and other outdoor plants, visit Joe’s Market Basket or call them at their locations in Edwardsville, Godfrey, Troy, O’Fallon, and St. Peters, Missouri.

Are coffee grounds bad for hydrangeas?

Coffee is acidic and beneficial for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas and roses, but should be used in moderation. Coffee grounds repel slugs and can be used around hostas, but results are not guaranteed. Caffeine in coffee grounds may restrict growth of certain plants, such as tomatoes, and inhibit seedling germination. Most caffeine is transferred to the drink during brewing, but some may remain, affecting the growth of certain plants.

What should you not plant around roses?

Roses, large plants with extensive root systems, should not be planted near lilacs or other woody plants, as they could outcompete them for water or nutrients. Lilacs are also susceptible to powdery mildew. To prevent soil depletion, avoid planting large shrubs with extensive root systems near roses. Eleanor Gould, director of estate gardening at The Inn at Little Washington, advises against planting snapdragons near roses, as they are highly susceptible to powdery mildew and rust and should be grown in a separate area.

What is the best ground cover for hydrangeas?

The blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is a popular ornamental grass with distinctive blue foliage, rendering it an optimal selection for introducing chromatic contrast at the base of hydrangeas.